Like any self-respecting Baltimorean, I bleed orange and black. April through September (October, if we're lucky), it's box scores, standings, and hating on the Yankees. And the Red Sox. Sometimes Toronto. Definitely the Nats . . .

Where was I? Oh yes. I am an Orioles fan, and I couldn't make a Baltimore-inspired collection without showing some love for my team. Eutaw Street is where you'll find the main gate to Camden Yards, and it was only fitting to take the photos there as well.

The Eutaw Street socks are all baseball--knee high, striped and sporty, they're perfect for team colors, self-striping yarn or using up leftovers. The pattern includes 5 sizes, so while I personally am opposed to knitting men's socks in fingering weight yarn because CP's feet are the size of small water craft, you can go right ahead.

The usual ribbed cuff is spiced up with stripes, added length and offset sections of 1x1 rib. Garter stitch "boot straps" run the length of the leg and incorporate the calf shaping. The boot straps fork at the gusset--half running down the side of the heel flap, the other half continuing down the length of the foot to the toe. Contrast heels and toes complete the sporty look.

This sample pair features Shalimar Yarns luxurious Breathless yarn, a super soft blend of merino, cashmere and silk. Yep, Shalimar is another Maryland-based company. Can you believe how lucky we are to have all these talented dyers right here? You need 1 skein of each color for all sizes and while you'll likely have some leftovers of the contrast colors, that's just the perfect excuse to knit yourself more comfy socks.

Fun fact: Did you know that Babe Ruth was from Baltimore? Born in the Pigtown neighborhood, he was signed to the then-minor league Baltimore Orioles before being sold to the Red Sox. The rest, as they say, is history. Fun fact #2: as a child, The Great Bambino was sent to St. Mary's Industrial School, which later became Cardinal Gibbons (High) School, where my dad taught when I was a kid. A giant portrait of The Babe hung in the main hallway, which is pretty impressive, considering it was a Catholic school--the walls are usually the exclusive domain of the saints and Jesus.

You can snag your copy of the Eutaw Street sock pattern over on Ravelry, or take advantage of the rapidly dwindling preorder period and grab the whole Charm City Knits collection for $9.99.

Only 2 patterns to go! I've saved the best for last--a sweet feminine cardigan and a cabled yoked pullover. I can't wait to share them with you!